Malverne High School Math Teacher Diane Pryor to be
Honored as Teacher of the Year at C.W. Post Commencement

Brookville, N.Y. -- Most math teachers don’t allow gummy bears in class. But for Malverne High School teacher Diane Pryor, they're a tool to teach her students algebraic concepts – an example of the creativity, innovation and dedication that led to her selection as Nassau County Secondary School Teacher of the Year by the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University.

Pryor will receive the honor during the 49th Commencement exercises at C.W. Post on Sunday, May 13.

Pryor, a resident of Lynbrook, N.Y., began teaching in 1988 and joined the faculty of the Malverne Schools in 1992. She currently teaches AP Statistics, Pre-Calculus, Math A and Math B. Her students, their parents and her supervisors say Pryor gives unselfishly of her time and finds ways to make challenging concepts enjoyable, such as using gummy bears to demonstrate linear progression.

“Ms. Pryor can breathe life into a subject and finds novel ways to make math interesting,” said Michele Korber, a parent in the district who supported Pryor's nomination for the award. “If she feels a student may not have understood the lesson on a particular day, but was too embarrassed to raise his hand in class, she will privately encourage him to come to extra help so as not to fall behind the other students.”

Pryor works closely with her colleagues, writing curriculum during the summer months and collaborating throughout the year with special education teachers to find improved ways to reach all students. She also welcomes student teachers into her classroom each year.

“Mrs. Pryor knows that teaching is not a solitary profession,” said Dr. Mary Ellen Freeley, Malverne's superintendent. “She offers these new teachers strategies and ideas to help them achieve success in their classrooms.”

In addition to her work in the classroom, Pryor serves as advisor to the school's National Honor Society chapter, is active with county and state professional organizations, and even sews costumes for school district theatrical productions.

Long Island University introduced the Secondary School Teacher of the Year Award in 1991 and invites school superintendents to nominate distinguished teachers for the honor. A committee of faculty members from Long Island University then review the applications and letters of nominations and select an annual recipient.

Posted: May 10, 2007